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The 1924 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1924, and lasted until November 30, 1924. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.
The 1924 season was an average season with 8 storms; three became hurricanes and two became major hurricanes. An early season tropical storm hit Belize on June 18th and Mexico on June 21. Two hurricanes formed in August and followed a similar path, forming in the tropical Atlantic, hitting the Lesser Antilles, passing west of Bermuda, becoming extratropical, and eventually hitting Nova Scotia.
A hurricane also struck Florida in early September. A second tropical storm would also hit Florida later in the month. The most intense tropical cyclone of the season struck western Cuba as a major hurricane and eventually moved ashore near Marco Island, Florida with weaker winds in October. A November tropical storm hit Jamaica and Cuba, becoming a hurricane over the western Atlantic Ocean. It is one of only eleven tropical cyclones to occur during November in the Atlantic hurricane database.[1]
[edit] Storms
[edit] Tropical Storm One
A tropical storm was detected 75 miles (120 km) southeast of Chetumal on June 18. It made landfall on northern Belize with estimated winds near 45 mph (75 km/h). Pressures were progressively decreasing over the preceding days in the northwestern Caribbean Sea.[2] The tropical system crossed the Yucatán Peninsula, emerging over the Bay of Campeche on June 19 with 40 mph (65 km/h) winds.[1] It re-strengthened over water, and it re-attained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). Early on June 21, it made landfall 115 miles (185 km) south of Tampico, Tamaulipas. It dissipated over land. The cyclone was classified as a weak disturbance, and strong winds were not recorded throughout the life span of the storm.[2] Squalls affected the Texas coast, prompting advisories for small watercraft. Heavy rainfall was reported in Mexico.[2]
[edit] Hurricane Two
The second tropical cyclone of the season formed 420 miles (675 km) southeast of Bridgetown, Barbados on August 16. It moved northwest and crossed the eastern Caribbean as a minimal tropical storm on August 18. On August 19, it passed east of San Juan, Puerto Rico and re-entered the Atlantic Ocean. On August 20, it quickly strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.[1] The cyclone slowed and turned west on August 21, and it continued to strengthen east of the northern Bahamas. The cyclone strengthened to a peak intensity of 135 mph (215 km/h) north of Grand Bahama on August 24. At the time, the storm was nearly stationary.[1] Several ships reported winds of hurricane force, rough seas, and atmospheric pressure readings to 970 mbar (28.67 inHg) from August 23 through August 25.[1] The cyclone turned sharply north, remaining east of the East Coast. On August 25, it quickly weakened, and it passed close to Cape Hatteras on August 26. It transitioned to an extratropical cyclone, and it passed over Nova Scotia on August 27.[1] The approach of the storm led to the issuance of storm warnings from Cape Hatteras to Miami, Florida on August 22. Hurricane warnings extended from Beaufort, North Carolina to Cape Henry. In advance of the storm, radio broadcasts also advised shipping interests to remain cautious north of Puerto Rico.[2] No damages occurred along the coast because of the recurving storm.[2] Peak wind gusts reached 74 mph (120 km/h) at Hatteras, North Carolina, and two people drowned along the coast.[3] Damage was minimal, though Ocracoke Island was flooded during the storm.[3] The White Star passenger liner Arabic was battered by the storm on August 26 while the ship was off the Nantucket Shoals. The ship arrived in New York the following day with 75 injured after having what was reported as a "100-foot wave" crash over the liner.[4]
[edit] Hurricane Three
The third tropical storm of the season developed 800 miles (1,285 km) southeast of Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe on August 25. Initially, it moved west on August 26. On August 27, it turned west-northwest and intensified as it approached the Lesser Antilles. It strengthened to a hurricane on August 28,[1] and it crossed Cudjoe Head on the island of Montserrat.[2] A minimum pressure of 965 mbar (28.50 inHg) was recorded. The cyclone turned northwest, crossing the northeastern Caribbean near Anguilla on August 29. The hurricane continued to intensify over the western Atlantic Ocean, and it reached peak winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) when it was located 755 miles (1,215 km) south-southeast of Bermuda on August 30. The cyclone recurved northward on September 2, and it weakened to the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane on September 3. On September 4, it lost tropical characteristics, though it retained hurricane force winds when it struck Nova Scotia on September 5.[1] In the Virgin Islands, the cyclone destroyed hundreds of homes and severely damaged crops. Several deaths were reported. Heavy precipitation caused flooding on several islands in the path of the storm.[2] On Saint Thomas, small boats were wrecked and trees were uprooted by the winds.[5] More than 6,000 people were homeless on Montserrat, while 30 were dead and 200 received wounds. Damages were estimated near £100,000 on the island.[6] The Red Cross donated $3,000 and fed victims after the storm.[7] In total, damages reached £86,000 and at least 59 people were killed in the Leeward Islands.[6]
[edit] Hurricane Four
On September 12, a strong tropical storm developed 85 miles (135 km) southwest of Key West, Florida. It moved northwest, quickly strengthening to a hurricane on September 13. Later, the storm attained maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Late on September 14, the cyclone turned northeast, and it struck the Florida Panhandle near Port St. Joe, Florida on September 15.[2] The minimum pressure measured in northwest Florida was 985 mbar (29.10 inHg) at Carrabelle. The hurricane quickly weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland, crossing southern Georgia on September 16. It entered the Atlantic Ocean near Savannah, Georgia with winds near 45 mph (75 km/h).[1] It accelerated east-northeast, becoming extratropical off Cape Hatteras on September 17. The system was last detected on September 19 south of Newfoundland.[1] In Florida, the hurricane caused minor damage to properties, and peak gusts reached 75–80 mph (120–130 km/h) in Port St. Joe. In the vicinity of Port St. Joe, two fishing vessels were blown ashore during the storm, while a schooner was wrecked near Carrabelle. Advance warnings reduced the potential damages in northwest Florida.[2] In Georgia, heavy precipitation caused two deaths and significant crop damage. Most of Brownton, Georgia was destroyed by floods.[8] Gale force winds also occurred along the Eastern Seaboard, though warnings were released in advance of the winds.[2] Operationally, the cyclone was not believed to have attained hurricane intensity.[2]
[edit] Tropical Storm Five
Low pressures were reported in the northwestern Caribbean Sea from September 23 through September 27.[2] On the latter day, a minimal tropical storm formed over the southwestern Caribbean Sea east of Roatán, Honduras.[1] Operationally, ships did not detect a low-level circulation.[2] On September 28, the cyclone moved northward and slowly intensified, passing east of Cozumel. On September 29, it entered the southern Gulf of Mexico, attaining its maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) as a tropical system. It quickly accelerated northeast and transitioned to an extratropical system with 60 mph (95 km/h) winds.[1] Later, it entered the Big Bend of Florida near Cedar Key.[2] On September 30, it rapidly moved northeast across the coastal Southeastern United States. It was last detected near Norfolk, Virginia.[1] On September 29, storm warnings were released for the eastern Gulf Coast, advising residents to prepare for gale force winds. Warnings were also issued from Jacksonville, Florida to Fort Monroe, Virginia. Eventually, warnings also encompassed the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, and gale force winds affected the Eastern Seaboard.[2]
[edit] Tropical Storm Six
Early on October 12, the sixth tropical cyclone of the season developed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico 280 miles (450 km) southwest of Saint Petersburg, Florida. At the time, the storm was estimated to have attained its maximum intensity of 60 mph (95 km/h).[1] It moved quickly southwest, and it weakened to a minimal tropical storm on October 13. On October 14, the system weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.[1] Operationally, the system was classified as a moderate disturbance.[9]
[edit] Hurricane Seven
Late on October 13, a minimal tropical storm formed in the western Caribbean Sea east-northeast of northern Honduras.[1] At the time, it was first detected when atmospheric pressures decreased over the Swan Islands on October 14.[2] It moved slowly west-northwest, and it gradually turned north on October 15. Late on October 15, it steadily intensified, and it attained hurricane intensity on October 17. On October 19, it strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane, and it struck the Pinar del Río Province of Cuba with sustained winds of at least 120 mph (195 km/h). A ship reported a minimum central pressure of 922 mbar (27.23 inHg) near Cayo Jutías,[2][10] suggesting that the cyclone may have been stronger. On October 20, the hurricane turned east-northeast in response to the southward movement of a ridge,[2] and it quickly weakened.[1] Early on October 21, it struck southwest Florida near Naples, Florida as a Category 1 hurricane,[11] and it entered the Atlantic Ocean north of Miami with 70 mph (110 km/h) winds.[1] The cyclone steadily weakened as it moved across the western Atlantic Ocean, and it dissipated west-southwest of Bermuda on October 23.[1]
In Cuba, at least 90 people were killed.[12] The hurricane produced severe damage to crops and buildings across western Cuba, injuring 50–100 people in Arroyos de Mantua.[2][13] In Key West, peak gusts reached 66 mph (105 km/h) and damage was minimal to vegetation. In advance, watercraft were secured and trees were trimmed, reducing damages during the storm.[2] The hurricane produced heavy precipitation across southern Florida, peaking at 23.22 inches (590 mm) on Marco Island.[14] The rains caused flooding in Palm Beach County, disrupting traffic on highways and railroads.[15] The measured totals of 11.21 inches (112 mm) were believed to have been the highest rainfall in the county over the past 15 years. Peak gusts reached 68 mph (110 km/h) across the mainland of southern Florida, while sailing trips from southeastern Florida were cancelled.[15] Telegraph wires were disabled in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda, though damages were minimal.[15]
[edit] Hurricane Eight
Early on November 5, a tropical storm formed in the southern Caribbean 275 miles (445 km) north-northwest of Panama City, Panama.[1] Operationally, the cyclone was not detected until November 8, when observations indicated the presence of a circulation near Jamaica.[2] The system moved northward with winds of minimal intensity, and it struck Clarendon Parish, Jamaica on November 7 with 40 mph (65 km/h) sustained winds. Early on November 8, it left the northern coast of the island, and it strengthened prior to making landfall west of Santiago de Cuba on November 9.[1] Later, the cyclone strengthened to a hurricane as it entered the Atlantic Ocean, and it turned northeast over the Turks and Caicos Islands on November 10. A ship reported hurricane force winds and a pressure of 996 mbar (29.40 inHg) near the center.[2] On November 11, the hurricane accelerated as it left the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it attained a peak intensity of 100 mph (155 km/h). It maintained Category 2 status until November 13. The system weakened and passed east of Bermuda, and it diminished to a tropical storm on November 14. It quickly became extratropical,[1] and it was last reported on November 15.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Hurricane Research Division (2008). Atlantic hurricane best track. NOAA. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w 1924 Monthly Weather Review. U.S. Weather Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ a b James E. Hudgins (2000). Tropical Cyclones Affecting North Carolina since 1566 – An Historical Perspective. Blacksburg, Virginia National Weather Service. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ "Gale-lashed Arabic docks with 75 hurt; 4 other liners hit", The New York Times, 1924-08-28, p. 1.
- ^ The Daily Gleaner (1924). New Storm Hard on Heels of its Predecessor. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ a b The Daily Gleaner (1924). Fund Opened to Aid Sufferers by Hurricane. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ The Bridgeport Telegram (1924). Red Cross Feeds Homeless Victims After Hurricane. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ The Chronicle-Telegram (1924). Hurricane Hits Georgia Towns. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ The Port Arthur News (1924). Short Stories. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Partagas, Jose Fernandez (1993). Impact on Hurricane History of a Revised Lowest Pressure at Havana (Cuba) During the October 11, 1846 Hurricane. NOAA. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Blake, Rappaport, and Landsea (2006). The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Tropical Cyclones (1851 to 2006). NOAA. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Cuba Hurricanes Historic Threats. CubaHurricanes.org. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ The Associated Press (1924). 12 Killed, 100 Hurt in Hurricane in Florida. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Barnes, Jay (1998). Florida's Hurricane History. Page 108.
- ^ a b c The Associated Press (1924). Gulf Tornado Takes 13 Lives-50 are Injured. The San Antonio Express. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ONLY 4 ARE KILLED ON VIRGIN ISLANDS. The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Ga.: Sep 4, 1924. pg. 6, 1 pgs
[edit] External links
